Bowling-alley pin-setting mechanism.



L. A. BRIGEL.

BOWLINGr ALLEY PIN SETTING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED TBB. 1I 1909.

Patented Nov.' 30, 1909.

2 SHEETS-#SHEET 1.

attenua? L. A. BRIGBL. BOWLING -ALLBY PIN SETTING .MEGHANISM APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1909. n l

. Patented Nov. 30, X909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2'.

@ttoznug -Lio i Setting Mechanism LEO A. BRIGEL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

erraten,

BOWLING-ALLEY PIK-SETTING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. so, roca.

Application led February 1, 1909. vSerial No. 475,438.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEO A. BRIGEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton 'and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Bowling-Alley Pinl, of which the following is a specification.

y invention relates to improved mechanism for settin the pins of bowling alleys. One of its objects-is to provide mechanism for setting the pinsfwithout injury to the pins, particularly the bottom of the pins.

Another 'object is to provide mechanism by means of which the and-accurately set.

Itv further consists in certain details of form, combination and arrangement, all of which will be more fully set forth in the depins can be quickly scription of the accompanying drawings, in'

Figure 1y is a central vertical section through an alley with my improvements applied, and with the pins in a position rea y to be set, said section being on line e el of Fig. 5. Fig. 2 is a similar viewshowing the pins set. Fig. 3 is a detail showing one of the setting devices in' top plan. Fig. 4 isa central vertical section through one of the pin setting devices, and illustrating a modification. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the alley with the pins removed.

In the accompanying drawings A represents the floor of the alley on whlch the pins are set. At the points where :the respective pins lare to be set. are inserted cylindrical sleeves B, which are preferably provided with one or more `vertical slots b. Within the sleeves B and closely fitting the inner wall thereof are collars C, which are adapted to move vertically within the sleeves, and

their movements therein limited by studs or Ascrews c, which project into'the slots b. An

equivalent for the slots and 'studs would be to spline or key Athe collars to the sleeves.

Within the collars C are plungers D, which closely t the inner gWalls of the collars C. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the plungers D are provided with enlarged heads d, and,

shoulders d adapted to, engage shouldersc of the collars to draw the collars downward within the sleeves,`as shown in Fig. 1. Beneath the collars C are collars E, which are rigidly secured to the stem ofthe plungers D, and serve to engage the lower edges of the collars C to lift the said collars C when.

ported upon the upper edge c3 the plungers D are elevated. As shown in Fig. 4, plunger D has no enlargement at its upper end, but is of uniform diameter Within the sleeve C. The plunger D may be provided with a detachable collar E as shown 1n Figs. 1 and 2, or with an annular integral rib E as shown in Fig. 4. The sleeve B and collar C" in Fig. 4 are shown -splined together by a spline f.

The lower ends of the several plungers D rest upon a vertically moving platform or frame G, which is held in position and guided by means of sleeves g, which are fitted to and slide upon the vertical stationary rods H. As illustrated the platform G is raised and lowered by means of links h It pivoted together at k2 by a knuckle or prop joint. The end of link l1. opposite to joint h2 controlled lever K is pivoted at 7c and connected by means of links In 7a2 with the links l1. l1. at their pivots h2, so that the movement of the lever K to the left will draw tlie pivot h2 into vertical line with the pivots h3 h4 thereby elevating the platform G from the position Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 2. The latch las engagingthe segment k* locks the lever K in position. Other mechanism of various kinds may be employedto elevate the plungers or platform G, and my invention is not limited to any articular mechanismfor elevating the p ungers or -platform G In practice the operator who sets the pins stands near the lever K., and with the plungers and collars in the position Fig. 1 the pins can be rapidly dropped into the upper ends of the several sleeves B, without danger Y' of marring the bottoms of the pins, or parts on which the pins stand. The proportions of the collars C and plungers D are such with relation to the shape of the pins that the edges of the bottoms of the pins can not strike the upper edge of the collars or the 'tops of the plungers, thus in dropping the pins into place m the sleeves B, the only portions of the pins liable to damage are the sides of the pins, and not the bottoms on which the pins are torest. When seated in the sleeves the weight of the pins is supof the collars C, which. brings the pins accurately to a central position within the sleeves B. After the pins have all been seated in the sleeves rolling, the lever Ii is moved t0 the right lowering the platform Gr which carries the plungers D, and which in turn draw down the collars C. Any pinswhich may have been left standing will follow the plungers down and be recentered, and any pins which have been knocked down can be again placed in the sleeves B, and the platform G again elevated. i l By the use of my improved'mechanism the pins can be rapidly handled and reset and accurately centered or recentered, and the bottoms of the pins are `protected from damage, thus insuring that the pins will wear longer and each have a smooth bottom of uniform diameter on which to rest.

In modification Fig. 4, the downward movement of the collar C is dependent upon the force of gravity.

The mechanism herein illustrated and described is capable of considerable modification withoutdepartingfrom the principle of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim is y y A 1. In' amechanism of the character indicated, a series of sleeves stationarily supported with their upper ends flush with the alley floor and adapted to receive the lower ends of the pins, a series of vertically movable collars located within said sleeves and adapted in their lower position to support said pins by engagement with the`sides of said pins above their bott-oms, and vertically movable plungers located within sai`d collars and adapted in their elevated position to support said collars in their elevated position with the upper' faces of said collars and plungers flush with the alley loor, and to lift and support the pins u on said plungers.

2. In a mechanism of tiie character indicated, a series of sleeves stationarily supported with their upper ends iiush with the alley floor and adapted to receive the lower ends of the pins, a series of collars located Within said sleeves and havin limited vertical movement relative to said sleeves, said collars being adapted in their lower position to support and center vsaid pins hyengagement with the side walls of said pins, a series of vertically movable plungers located within said collars, said plungers being out of engagement' with said pins in ,their lower position, and adapted in their upward movement to engage and lift said pins and said collars so that the top of said collars of@ and the bottom of said pins come to a position iush with the alley floor, and means fOr raising and lowering said phingers.

3. In a mechanism of the character indi- 4cated, a series of sleeves stationarily supported with their-upper ends Hush with the alley iiooi' and 'adapted to receive thc lower ends of the pins, a series of vertically movable collars located within said sleeves and adapted in their lower position to support said pins by engagement with the sides of said pins above their'bottoms, interengaging members carried by said sleeves vand collars to limit the movements of said collars, and vertically movable plungers located within said collars and adapted in their elevated position to support said collars in their elcvated position with the upper faces of said collars and plungers flush with the alley floor, and to lift and support the pins upon said plungers.

et. In a mechanism of the character indicated, a series of sleeves stationarily supported with their upper ends flush with the alley floor and adapted to receive the lower ends of the pins, a series of collars located within said sleeves and having limited vert'ical movement relative to said sleeves, said collars being adapted in their lower position to support and center said pins by engagement with the i, side walls of said pins, a series of vertically movable plungcrs located within said collars, interengaging members carried by said collars and plungers to raise and lower sa`d collars in unison with the movements olilsaid plungers, said plungers being out ofte gagement with the pins in their lower position, and adapted in their gupward movement to engage and lift said pins and said collars so that the top of said collars and the bottom of said p1nscome 105 to a position flush with the alley floor, and means for raising and lowering said plungers.

5. In a mechanism of the character indicated, a series of sleeves stationarily supported with their upper ends Hush with the alley floor and adapted to receive the lower ends of the pins, a series of movable collars located within said sleeves and adapted in their lower position to support said pins by engagement with the side walls of said pins,

a series of vertically movable plungers located within said collars and adapted in their elevated position vto support said collars in their elevated position with the upper faces vof said collars and plungers fiush with the alley iioor, and to lift and support said pins centrally upon said plungers, and mechanism adapted to raise and lower said several plungers in unison.

6. In a mechanism of the character indicated, a series of sleeves stationarily supported with their upper ends iush with the alley floor and adapted to receive the lower ends of the pins, a series of movable collars 130 v941,611 y 3l located within said -sleeves and adapted in i their lower position to support said pinstiy engagement with the side walls of said pins, a series of vertically movable plungers located Within said collars and adapted vin their eleva'ted position to support said collars in their elevated position with the upper faces of said collars and plungers flush with the alley Hoor, a. vertically movable platform supported upon vertical guides., said plat- 10 form supporting said several plungers, and mechanism to raise and lower said platform. In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature inv presence of two Witnesses.' y

. LEO A. BRIGEL.

Witnesses:

ALBERT nW. SCHWARTZ, .0. W. MILES. 

